Sierran. In This Issue: Conservation Issues: The Central Ohio

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1 The Central Ohio Sierran News of the Central Ohio Group FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC All programs, meetings, events and outings in this newsletter are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted. Articles appearing in The Central Ohio Sierran are the opinions of the authors and do not necessarily reflect policy of the Sierra Club. GET OUR NEWSLETTER VIA MAIL OR Club members who would like to receive this newsletter by mail, or would like to receive notification when current newsletters hit the web, please contact Doug Calem douglas.calem(at) gmail.com. In This Issue: Chair s Corner... 2 Sierra Club Meetings... 2 Annual Picnic Pictures... 5 Outings... 6 Newsletter Delivery Help Community Events Directory Conservation Issues: Water Testing Volunteers Needed... 2 Human Waste Flows through Franklin County and Ohio... 3 Transportation Committee Gears Up... 4 Consider Biking s 2 BY 2012 Bicycle Initiative... 5 The Passive House Standard... 9 Green Goodies Bakery July-August 2011 Volume 40, Number 4 Special Event Movie 7:30 pm, Tuesday, August 23 The Battle of Chernobyl Location: The Drexel Theater, 2254 E. Main St. in Bexley This poignant film shows the human side of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster. It showcases video clips of the original explosion, original clips of the immediate and ongoing mitigation attempts, interviews with Soviet Leader Mikhail Gorbachev and workers at the plant, both at the time and recently, and interviews with the liquidators those people who experienced deadly risk to prevent much greater contamination. The World Health Organization estimates that 800,000 (yes, that figure is correct) people were commandeered for cleanup. Many felt they needed to risk their lives and act, to save humanity. Dr. Bernhard Debatin, Ohio University professor of journalism, was living in Berlin at the time of the accident and was exposed. He screened this 92-minute film at Ohio University on April 26, 2011, the 25th anniversary of the Chernobyl explosion. The well-informed and articulate professor has agreed to lead a discussion about Chernobyl, Fukushima and other nuclear matters following the screening. The film is free and open to the public. Cosponsored by the Sierra Club, the Columbus International Film and Video Festival, and the Free Press. Calling All Candidates: Consider being a candidate for our Central Ohio Group Executive Committee If there is an environmental issue of particular concern to you, this is the perfect opportunity to address it! The Sierra Club s Central Ohio Group is seeking candidates to run in this fall s Executive Committee election. Ex- Com is the top decision-making body in the Group and consists of 11 members. Five positions will be open for the upcoming election. Those elected will serve a two-year term beginning in January Membership on the ExCom requires attending the monthly meetings (currently being held on first Wednesday evenings) and participating in local programs and activities. ExCom members also agree to take on other responsibilities, such as being a member of a standing committee or a conservation subcommittee. The following characteristics are desirable: long-term commitment to the environment, positive manner with people, experience in leadership or in the Sierra Club, and dependability. If you are interested in being part of an active and vital organization working to protect and enjoy the environment in Central Ohio, contact Central Ohio Group Chair David Donofrio at daviddonofrio1(at)gmail.com or

2 Page 2 Chair s Corner By David Donofrio I am writing to you on the morning following another successful Central Ohio Group Annual Picnic, which was held at the Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park in southwestern Franklin County. Despite the weather being a bit off-and-on rainy and the picnic coinciding with Father s Day, we had a fantastic turnout, great food, updates from state and national staff, freebies, and overall great conversation. A small group of us met at the park early, walking and biking an approximately 2 mile trail to see the only freerange bison in a central Ohio park well worth the trek! If you were unable to attend, please remember to look for next year s summer picnic they are always a blast! In this issue you will learn about a recently issued 60 day notice against Franklin County by the Sierra Club intended to mitigate the documented human waste pollution from water outfalls in the County. If you are by any means affected by this action, please contact Ben Wickizer, Chapter staff, at ben.wickizer(at)sierraclub.org, as we need strong voices advocating for clean water in this fight. (See the article on pg 3.) Finally, please take our Central Ohio Group survey if you have not already done so at Remember, we are YOUR club and can only be effective with your input and feedback! Enjoy the summer months outside! David Donofrio Chair, Sierra Club Central Ohio Group Sierra Club Meetings Central Ohio Group (COG) Executive Committee First Wednesdays: July 6 and August 3 at 6:45pm Meets the first Wed. of most months at Consider Biking, 4041 N. High St., Suite 201. Contact David Donofrio at , daviddonofrio1(at)gmail.com for more information or if you have an agenda item. COG Conservation Committee Third Wednesdays: July 20 and August 17 at 7 pm Conservation activists, interested members, and others meet on the third Wed. of most months at the downtown Sierra Club office, 131 N. High St. Press the intercom and someone will let you in. Contact Ohio Sierra Club ConsCom Chair Alicia Wooten-Cherry at mukkie145(at)yahoo.com for more information or if you have an agenda item. COG Political Committee Members and permanent chair needed! Committee members interview Central Ohio candidates and make recommendations for endorsements. The committee also meets with elected officials to keep them informed of the Group s position on local issues. There are often speakers at these meetings. If you are interested in political issues, lobbying, legislation, policy, or candidates, please get in touch with David Donofrio at , daviddonofrio1(at)gmail.com about joining this group. Ohio Chapter Conservation and Executive Committees Sunday, July 17 : 10 am ConsCom, 1 pm ExCom Held every other month at the Ohio Sierra Club office, 131 N. High St. in downtown Columbus. Lunch will be served at no charge. Open to all Sierra Club members. Contact Chapter Chair Bob Shields at sierrabob(at)oh.rr.com for more information or if you have a subject for the agenda. Water Testing Volunteers Needed In an effort to address storm water pollution and water quality issues across the state, the Clean Water Campaign has started a water testing program. There is a demonstrated need for water testing in Ohio and you can help. Volunteer to be a citizen scientist and the Campaign will provide you with the tools and training you need to make a difference in your own community. To learn more visit and go to the clean water testing program page or contact cleanwatersierraclub(at)gmail.com.

3 Human Waste Flows through Franklin County and Ohio By Matt Trokan Ohio Sierra Club Conservation Program Coordinator Clean Water Campaign, Natural Resources Protection Page 3 Every time it rains, Ohioans face a public and environmental health threat. Many cities across Ohio have combined sewer systems that collect both sewage and storm water runoff in a single pipe. These systems are designed to overflow during heavy rains. In areas without combined sewers a sanitary sewage system flows to a waste water treatment plant. The separate storm water system usually flows directly to streams and rivers. Pollution from roads, farms, lawns, septic systems, and illicit connections often enters storm water systems and from there goes directly to the watershed. In Franklin County, the storm sewer system is discharging human waste year round from failing septic systems, putting the health of Franklin County residents in jeopardy. These discharges contain alarmingly high fecal coliform levels, including Escherichia coli (E. coli) and fecal streptococci. In Franklin County alone there are 1,096 known storm water outfall locations that are discharging raw sewage into our streams and rivers. Franklin County is not unique, as many counties and townships across Ohio are confronting similar septic and storm water issues. The numbers across Ohio are staggering to think about. Many of you are familiar with the Club s victories in Cincinnati and Columbus where we obtained Consent Orders to eliminate Combined Sewer Overflows. On June 8, 2011, the Sierra Club, as part of its Clean Water Campaign, filed a 60-day notice declaring its intent to sue Franklin County and seventeen townships within the county for violations of the federal Clean Water Act. The suit will remedy illegal discharges of sewage from the County s storm sewers, which are pervasive in all major Franklin County waterways Alum Creek, Olentangy River, Big Darby Creek, Scioto River, and others. On June 8 th, Central Ohio Sierra Club members gathered in front of the Franklin Board of Health to hold the County accountable for sewage in our streams. One of 1096 storm water outfalls discharging sewage in Franklin County Keeping sewage out of our streams is the most basic of government responsibilities. Franklin County has systematically documented this pollution for years, but little has been done to address it. Some lab samples show bacterial levels thousands of times greater than regulatory health standards allow. The County has failed to adequately notify residents about the pollution, erect signs warning of discharge locations, or even maintain a reliable complaint tracking system. The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA) recently reviewed the County s compliance with its storm water permit and identified multiple violations, but the OEPA has yet to seek any penalties, thus prompting the Sierra Club s June 8th action. Although the seeds for this problem were sown years ago through accelerated development, it is not something that Franklin County can continue to ignore. The Sierra Club s suit will seek a federal court injunction to impose an enforceable timetable for Franklin County to eliminate the illegal discharges and require prompt compli- (Continued on page 8)

4 Page 4 Transportation Committee Gears Up, Seeks New Members By Ben Wickizer, Ohio Sierra Club Conservation Program Coordinator - Green Transportation Campaign, Clean Water Campaign Fix-It-First! On June 2, the Ohio Sierra Club held a press conference outlining one of our transportation policy appeals Fix- It-First which asks municipalities and transportation agencies to fix damaged roads and bridges as opposed to constructing new ones. A white paper about Fix-It-First can be found at our website at Here are a few highlights that illustrate the need for a fixit-first approach: The American Society of Civil Engineers gave Ohio a D on its 2009 Infrastructure Report Card. In Ohio, 23% of bridges, 20% of highways, and 44% of other roads are in need of repair. Ohio s transportation congestion rate has been steadily increasing over the last three decades. In Ohio, a person is injured in a vehicular accident every 4.9 minutes, and road conditions are responsible for a significant number of state-wide crashes and vehicle damage. Damaged roads cost Ohioans an estimated $1.7 billion each year in extra vehicle operating costs such as maintenance, repairs, and depreciation. Investments in road repair projects have been shown to create 16% more jobs than new road projects while transit investments have been shown to create 31% more jobs. Furthermore, creating new roads results in substantially more air emissions, fossil fuel consumption, and vehicle miles traveled (VMT). Ohio s VMT has been growing since 2007 and emissions, pollution, and congestion have also increased as a result. Repairing our roads and investing more in motor vehicle alternatives rather than building new roads will halt the growth of these negative factors. All Ohioans would benefit from a more robust, diverse transportation system including increased transit and rail service as well as safer sidewalks and bikeways. The Sierra Club will continue to push governments and agencies to recognize the importance of fixing-it-first. In addition we will push them to: Adopt complete streets policies that incorporate all road users needs into repairs and new construction, including bicycles and pedestrians. Give projects with multi-modal characteristics, which emphasize non-automobile alternatives, preference in funding over those that only address the needs of drivers. Dump the Pump Day The Sierra Club is also expanding into new transportation partnerships in central Ohio. We partnered with the Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) and the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) to promote and celebrate Dump the Pump Day on June 16. The event provided a great opportunity to raise awareness about the alternatives to motor vehicles that exist in central Ohio, including walking, biking, and transit, and the individual and societal benefits that these modes offer. One of the issues we highlighted was the amount of money commuters can save using public transit. For example, according to the American Public Transit Association, with gasoline at $4.00 a gallon, the average US commuter would save over $11,000 per year by foregoing one of their cars and taking transit WOW! Help the Club effort Move Forward! The Ohio Sierra Club is looking for transportation committee members at both the state and local levels. Ohio s state and local transportation systems have much room for improvement. To effectively address our transportation needs and the system deficiencies, we need as many people as possible to join our transportation committee and provide support for our transportation plans and initiatives. We welcome all members, regardless of their level of transportation policy experience, to join and help foster a greener transportation system in Ohio. Anyone interested in being involved with the transportation committee, either on the state or local level, should contact Ben Wickizer at ben.wickizer(at)gmail.com or Ben Wickizer is the Ohio Sierra Club s new staffer, hired to work on transportation issues. He is giving our transportation activity a new boost! Now is the time to join the committee and make your voice heard! Restore human legs as a means of travel. Pedestrians rely on food for fuel and need no special parking facilities. Lewis Mumford

5 Consider Biking s 2 BY 2012 Bicycle Initiative Page 5 By Bryan Saums, Program Manager, 2 BY 2012 Thanks to the generosity of The Columbus Foundation, Consider Biking has been signing on leading Central Ohio businesses and organizations to its bold, innovative 2 BY 2012 program since May BY 2012 is a turnkey bicycling encouragement and education program. It is one of the featured campaigns of the Columbus Bicentennial celebration. The community goal of 2 BY 2012 is for every central Ohio resident to use a bicycle, instead of a car, to get to work or school or to run errands two times a month by the Columbus Bicentennial in Along with about 90 other organizations, the City of Columbus is a 2 BY 2012 partner. Active transportation is the future and it has arrived, says Mayor Michael Coleman. 2 BY 2012 will increase the vibrancy of Columbus and make Columbus healthier. Our quality of life will be so much better because of 2 BY Beyond the health benefits and environmental benefits of active transportation, we see 2 BY 2012 as an economic development tool to attract new economy workers to Columbus, adds Consider Biking Board President Doug Morgan, a partner at Hahn, Loeser & Parks, LLP. He continues, Also, research proves that bicycling improves a company s bottom line. Bicycling employees are more productive and miss less work. The environmental benefits of 2 BY 2012 and bicycling are many. Over 40 percent of motor vehicle trips in the U.S. are less than two miles. Replacing these trips by bicycling will improve air quality by reducing smog, particulate matter, carbon monoxide and emissions that contribute to global warming. A local bike ride has implications for global air quality. Bicycling reduces traffic congestion too, and provides other environmental benefits. Don t forget that bicycling is fun! 2 BY 2012 provides businesses and organizations with education programs, route planning help, and RideNet, an online social networking site for creating and finding rides and logging miles ridden. Bicyclists using RideNet now earn the Small Business Beanstalk Bicycle card, which provides discounts at more than 400 independent central Ohio retailers, restaurants and service providers. For more information on 2 BY 2012 go to or Please go to to see the innovative RideNet social networking site for bicycling. You can contact Bryan Saums at or bryan(at)considerbiking.org Pictures from the Annual Picnic below. Group photo on page 9. Our Columbus office staffers at the Annual Picnic: (L to R) Ben Wickizer, Rashay Layman, Mackenzie Bailey, and Nachy Kanfer. Liam Nelligan of Columbus is very proud of all his Sierra Club gear!

6 Page 6 Outings: July/August Outings are open to all; you do not have to be a member of the Sierra Club to participate. In fact, if you are interested in joining the Sierra club, we encourage you to go on an outing and get to know some Sierrans. We think you re likely to come back! To aid you in selecting outings that fit your experience and fitness levels, please see our Outings Rating System. - The general policy of Sierra Club is that dogs not be taken on hikes unless the write-up mentions that they may be included. - In order to participate in one of the Sierra Club s outings, you will need to sign a liability waiver. - Outings are free of charge unless otherwise noted. - We support energy conservation and carpooling wherever possible and appropriate. Participants may voluntarily contribute gas money to the driver. Outings Rating System Each outing is rated twice. Both scales are one to five; the E scale indicates the required experience level and the S scale shows the physical activity level anticipated. E Scale 1 Novice - no experience required. 2 A little experience is required. 3 Moderate experience required. 4 Considerable experience required. 5 For the very experienced only. S Scale 1 Not strenuous. 2 Could be strenuous. 3 Somewhat strenuous. 4 Strenuous. 5 Very strenuous. If you are interested in an outing but are unsure if you can manage it or if you wish to meet the group at the trailhead instead of the assembly point, call the leader and discuss the trip in greater detail. Be advised that many day hikes are 10 miles or longer and require proper equipment. Here s a list of what you should bring: 1. Sturdy hiking boots or shoes. Make sure your footwear is broken in before you attempt a 10-mile hike. 2. Clothing appropriate to the season. Layering works best in cold weather to prevent overheating. Raingear is essential for comfort as hikes may proceed rain or shine. 3. A small first aid kit with band-aids or moleskin for blisters. 4. At least one liter of water (two liters in warm weather). Note that water is usually not available on the trail. 5. Snacks or lunch if mentioned in the hike description. Hike leaders reserve the right to deny participation to anyone deemed to be inadequately prepared. Wednesday, July 6, 6:30 pm: Franklin Park Evening Walk, Ratings: E/S 1/1 Enjoy the variety of plantings to be found in this park that was the original fairground. Meet at the East entry by the picnic tables at 6:30 pm for an hour long walk at an easy pace. The Conservatory (1777 E. Broad St.) is open to explore at your leisure. Lightning will cancel the walk in park. Leader: Chris Tisdale Friday, July 8, 7:00 pm: Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park Night Hike - Pleasant Valley Area, Ratings: E/S 1/1 Join us for a flat to gently rolling walk around a reclaimed quarry in the newest area of park. A shortcut is available for those who prefer a shorter walk. Be prepared for possible wet or muddy conditions as the trails are not paved. Meet at 7:00 pm at the far end of the Pleasant Valley parking lot at 9137 US Route 62, Orient OH: NOTE: This is a different location than the main entrance to Battelle Darby Creek. Directions: Take exit 94 on I-71 SW of Columbus and go 1.75 miles on SR 62 / SR 3 southwest towards Harrisburg. The entrance is on the left. If you see Columbus St. on the right, you ve gone too far. Leader: Dave Dorsky, , valordave(at)hotmail.com. Sunday, July 10, 9:00 am: Lake Hope Day Hike and Swim, Ratings: E/S 2/2 Join us for a 5-7 mile hike around Lake Hope followed by an optional refreshing swim in the lake to cool off after the hike. The terrain is rolling with some small but steep hills. Our pace and distance will depend on the weather. The hike includes a brief stop at the Lake Hope Furnace where we can learn about how furnaces in this region were used to make iron for the Civil War. Bring plenty of water, lunch, and a towel and bathing suit if you are interested in swimming. Meet at 9:00 am behind McDonalds at Route 33 and Gender Rd. Leader: Dave Dorsky, , valordave(at)hotmail.com. Friday, July 15, 7:00 pm: Scioto Audubon Metro Park Night Hike, Ratings: E/S 1/1 Join us for a walk starting from the Grange Insurance Audubon Center at the Scioto Audubon Metro Park. We will look for birds on the Whittier Peninsula, followed by a hike through the park and the Brewery District. This is a nice hike blending nature with the city. Meet at the Audubon Center parking lot at 7:00 pm. Wear sturdy shoes for uneven walkways. The Audubon Center is located at 505 West Whittier Street in downtown Columbus. We will be walking about 3.5 miles, followed by an optional dinner after the hike. Leaders: Avalon and David Espinoza, avespinoza (at)hotmail.com. Sunday, July 17, 9:00 am: Burr Oak State Park Day Hike, Ratings: E/ S 4/5 This valley area is typical of the southeast wilderness of Ohio. Carved by erosion of the Appalachian Mountain foothills, it is replete with ridges, rock formations, lakes, and a variety of flora and wildlife. Historically, the area s development stemmed from the nearby water transportation hubs, mining industries, and settlements by Civil War veterans who accepted land in payment for services. This hike of 9-11 miles will take us through the Burr Oak and/or Wildcat Hollow trails. Bring water, lunch, boots, suitable attire and meet at 9:00 am behind McDonald's at Winchester Square Shopping Center, near US 33 and Gender Rd. Leader: Jose Cabral, (Continued on page 7)

7 Friday Night Hikes Friday Night Hikes are a great way to unwind from a hectic week, a respite from the hurry, and a transition to a more relaxed weekend. There are usually 3 to 4 miles of brisk walking with an optional stop afterward for refreshments and conversation. When days are long, most of our Friday Night Hikes are in area Metro Parks. When days are short, we hike in lovely area neighborhoods. But wherever they are, Friday night Hikes are always wonderful. So, have some fun, make some friends, and meet some new people--come on a Friday Night Hike! Please note, however, that heavy weather generally cancels a Friday Night Hike. If it looks questionable, check with the leader for that particular hike. (Outings, Continued from page 6) Friday, July 22, 7:00 pm: Night Hike I-Grandview, Ratings: E/S 1/1 We will take a neighborhood walk through Grandview. Meet promptly at 7:00 pm in the parking lot of the Grandview Library on First Ave., two blocks west of Grandview Ave. After the hike, we will have dinner in a Grandview restaurant. Leaders: Barbara Daniel and George Huntley. Contact George Huntley at for further information. Friday, July 22, 7:00 pm: Night Hike II-Highbanks Metro Park, Ratings: E/S 2/2 Meet at 7:00 pm outside the Nature Center. Be prepared for some hills on our hike up and down the scenic ravines. Please bring some water for the hike, especially if the weather is warm. Highbanks is located just west of US 23 about 3.5 miles north of I-270. The Nature Center is the first driveway on the right after you enter the park. Leaders: Jim and Ellen McDonald, , jmcdonald121(at) aol.com. Sunday, July 24, 9:00 am: Hocking Hills Day Hike, Ratings: E/S 3/4 This is a dog-friendly hike. The scenery in and around Old Man's Cave, Cedar Falls, Rose Lake, and Ash Cave is unequaled for its beauty and serenity. You will see and learn about the gritty, reddish stone, called Blackhand Sandstone, and how it was left behind more than 200 million year ago when Ohio s ancient ocean drained from the land. We will be hiking 12 miles at a brisk pace and tackling some challenging hills, so please be aware of your hiking abilities and limitations. Bring lunch, water and hiking boots and meet at 9:00 am behind McDonald s at Route 33 and Gender Rd. Leader: Jim Halverson, , jimhalvey(at)aol.com. Friday, July 29, 7:00 pm: Old Worthington Night Hike, Ratings: E/ S 2/2 Join us for a 3 mile hike starting in downtown Worthington and taking in some of the nearby neighborhoods and areas of interest. There will be an optional dinner at a Worthington area restaurant after the hike. Meet at 7:00 pm at the parking lot behind the Dairy Queen at the corner of High Street and North Street, which is located 2 blocks north of Route 161, on the east side of High Street. Please wear appropriate footwear, as we may encounter wet or muddy areas. Leader: Tom Ruf, Sunday, July 31, 9:00 am: Hargus Lake Day Hike, Ratings: E/S 2/2 We ll hike 5-6 miles around scenic Hargus Lake in AW Marion State Park. We will have one or two short snack stops during the hike and lunch in the park after the hike. If the weather is nice, you will have the option of hiking 2-3 more miles after lunch at nearby Stage s Pond. Bring your own food, plenty of water, and sturdy shoes or hiking boots for the wooded and at times uneven and muddy terrain. Meet south of Columbus at 9:00 am behind Tim Hortons at the north end of Great Southern Shopping Center, located on the west side of South High Street (SR 23), just north of I-270. Leader: Dave Dorsky, valordave(at)hotmail.com, Wednesday, August 3, 6:30 pm: Franklin Park Evening Walk, Ratings: E/S 1/1 Enjoy the variety of Page 7 plantings to be found in this park that was the original fairground. Meet at the East entry by the picnic tables at 6:30 pm for an hour long walk at an easy pace. The Conservatory (1777 E.Broad St.) is open to explore at your leisure. Lightning will cancel the walk in park. Leader: Chris Tisdale Friday, August 5, 7:00 pm: Sharon Woods Metro Park Night Hike: E/S 2/2 Meet in the Apple Ridge parking lot at 7:00 pm. We'll hike through woods, meadows, and around Schrock Lake. Although much of the terrain is flat, be prepared to navigate a few small and possibly muddy hills. Leaders: John and Marilyn Fiske, John at jrob48(at)aol.com or Marilyn at mjean49(at)aol.com. Sunday, August 7, 11:00 am and 1:00 pm: Inniswood Metro Park Day Hike, Ratings: E/S 1/2 Walk along the boardwalk and paved trails to see what is growing in this park, located at 940 S. Hempstead Rd. in Westerville. The terrain is level with a few gentle hills and lovely gardens. Bring a snack and plan for a walk at an easy pace of about 3 miles per session. Meet in parking lot by the information shelter at 11 am or 1 pm. Leader: Chris Tisdale, Friday, August 12, 7:00 pm: Blendon Woods Metro Park Night Hike, Ratings: E/S 2/3 Meet at 7:00 pm in the parking lot near the nature center. We will walk for about 3 miles in the woods with and rolling hills. There is an optional dinner after the hike. Directions: I-270 to route 161 East, following the (brown) signs to the park, and bear left to reach the nature center parking lot. Leader: Line Martineau, , linenmartineau(at)gmail.com, Friday, August 12, 7:00 pm: German Village Night Hike, Ratings: E/S 1/1 Join us for a walk through historic German Village. We will walk around the German Village neighborhoods and visit Fetch Park. Meet at Schiller Park (Deshler and Jaeger) at 7:00 pm. We will be walking about 3 miles and will stop for an (Continued on page 8)

8 Page 8 Outings Continued from page 7 optional dinner at a local area restaurant. Wear sturdy footwear appropriate for uneven walking surfaces. Reflective clothing is recommended. Leader: George Huntley, Sunday, August 14, 9:00 am: Scioto Trails State Park Day Hike, Ratings: E/S 4/5 The forest and park are nestled in the high ground of the Appalachian foothills rising above the Scioto River Valley. This historic area was home of the Shawnees as late as the 1700 s and saw the arrival of early American explorers who traveled up the Scioto River. This hike of 11+ miles has most trails in the forest and is comprised of rugged terrain that rapidly descends or rises. While offering expansive views of the area, this is strenuous hike and may have additional weather related challenges. Bring water, lunch, boots, suitable attire and meet behind Tim Hortons at 9:00 am in the Great Southern Shopping Center on U.S. 23 just north of I-270. Leader: Jose Cabral, Friday, August 19, 7:00 pm: Old Westerville Night Hike, Ratings: E/S 1/1 Join us for a 3+ mile hike in Old Westerville. We will be walking through some of Old Westerville s quaint neighborhoods and around the charming Otterbein College campus. Our hike will end with an optional dinner at a popular area restaurant. Meet at 7:00 pm in the parking lot located behind Graeter s Ice Cream Parlor at the corner of State St. and College Ave. Leader: Linda Halverson, , lmat1010(at)aol.com. Sunday, August 21, 9:00 am: John Bryan State Park, Glen Helen Nature Preserve, Yellow Springs Day Hike, Ratings: E/S 3/4 This is a dog-friendly hike. We will hike through John Bryan State Park to Glen Helen Nature Preserve to visit the Raptor Center. The hike continues to the Yellow Springs and we will hike on an old stagecoach road that offers some great scenery. This is a brisk-paced hike of 11 miles, so please be aware of your hiking abilities and limitations. Bring lunch, water, and hiking boots and meet behind Bob Evans Restaurant at Westland Shopping Center (just east of I-270 and West Broad St.). We will leave there promptly at 9:00 am. Leader: Jim Halverson, , jimhalvey(at) aol.com. Sunday, August 28, 1:00 pm: Highbanks Metro Park Day Hike, Ratings: E/S 2/2 Highbanks is named for its massive shale bluffs that tower over the Olentangy State Scenic River. The park is rich in Native American history as it contains two Adena Indian burial mounds and a prehistoric earthwork. We will hike 5-6 miles that include some small but steep hills. Sturdy footwear is needed for possible wet or muddy conditions. Meet at the Nature Center at 1 pm. Leader: Dave Dorsky, , valordave(at) hotmail.com. Friday, September 2, 7:00 pm: Glacier Ridge Metro Park Night Hike, Ratings: E/S 1/1 The flat to gently-rolling trails through woodlands, prairies, and fields make this one of our easiest parks to walk. We'll be hiking on both the unpaved nature trails and the paved multi-use trail. A shortcut is available for those who would prefer a shorter walk. Please arrive at the meeting place by 6:50 pm. The hike will start promptly at 7:00 pm due to dwindling daylight. Directions: From the NW corner of I-270 take U.S. 33 west to the SR 161/Post Road exit. Turn right on Post Road, then take the next left onto Hyland Croy Road and drive PAST the Honda Wetlands entrance for about 3 miles total until you see the main park entrance on your left. Leader: Dave Dorsky, , valordave (at)hotmail.com. Friday, September 16, 7:00 pm: Evening Dog Hike and Pot Luck, Whetstone Park, Ratings: E/S 1/1 This will be a 3.5 mile walk on Whetstone Park trails, the bike path and the streets of Clintonville. Everyone is welcome to attend with or without a dog. All dogs must be on nonretractable leashes and must be compatible with other dogs. We will have a pot-luck after the hike at Whetstone Park (we suggest simple finger-food type snacks). Meet at 7:00 pm at the casting pond near the last parking lot in the park. Whetstone Park is located midway between N. Broadway and Henderson Rd. on High Street. Leader: Jim Halverson, , jimhalvey(at)aol.com. Human Waste Flows in Franklin County and Ohio Continued from page 3) ance with all permit requirements, including civil penalties for the Clean Water Act violations that have occurred over the past five years. The Club is also requesting that the County create a simple way for citizens to report discharges, including a system for tracking complaints and a notification system or signage to warn the public about these health hazards. We will continue to advocate that regional planning occur on a watershed basis and that monitoring of our waterways for harmful pollutants be expanded. This is an opportunity for the County to invest in green solutions such as wet basins, dry basins, sand filters, bioswales, and rain gardens. It is time for Ohio to rethink how we address storm water issues across the state. We all live downstream. This is the water that we play in, swim in, fish in, bathe in, and drink. Clean water is essential to the quality of life in Ohio.

9 A Primer on the Passive House Standard By Ramon Matias Corpuz, LEED AP, CDT Imagine a typical house oriented in such a way that it receives the most winter sun it can. As the winter sun shines on this house, it absorbs this completely free heat. Now let's wrap the house with a thin membrane that will make it airtight. Imagine that we start to add insulation around it. If we keep increasing the amount of insulation, at some point, we will no longer need a typical heating, venting and air conditioning (HVAC) system to heat and cool the interior of the house. Think of this superinsulated house like a vacuum flask keeping hot things hot and cool things cool. Because the insulation and airtight barrier are keeping the inside temperature constant, we will need very little energy to add heat or to cool the air in order to make the space comfortable. That big HVAC unit can be replaced with a small, energy efficient heat recovery ventilator (HRV) or energy recovery ventilator (ERV) to provide thermal comfort. This, essentially, is the Passive House concept and it can easily be 90% more efficient than a traditional house. As defined by the Passivhaus Institut, a Passive House is a building in which thermal comfort is guaranteed by re-heating (or re-cooling) the volume of fresh air that is required for satisfactory air quality - without using circulated air. Don't let the name throw you; the Passive House (Passivhaus in German) standard is not restricted to houses, but has successfully been implemented in schools, multi-family residences, factories and offices - both new and retrofits. It is the building standard in Germany, a country that leads the world in climate protection and renewable energy. Although over 15,000 projects have been certified abroad, they have yet to make headway here in the United States. Page 9 The requirements for the Passive House standard are very specific. In order for a project to receive Passive House Certification, it must meet the following requirements: Airtight building shell less than or equal to 0.6 Air changes per hour at 50 pascal. Annual heat demand less than or equal to 15 kwh/sqm/yr (4.75 kbtu/sq-ft/yr). Annual cooling demand less than or equal to 15 kwh/ sq-m/yr (4.75 kbtu/sq-ft/yr). Primary energy less than or equal to 120 kwh/sq-m/yr (38.1 kbtu/sq-ft/yr). In addition, the following, which vary with climate, are recommendations: Window unit U-value less than or equal to 0.8 W/sqm/K (U-Factor=0.14; R=7.1) Ventilation system with heat recovery with 75% efficiency with low electric consumption at 0.45 Wh/cu-m (0.013 Wh/cu-ft) Thermal bridge-free construction less than 0.01 W/mK (0.006 Btu/ft-hr-F) Along with the requirements and recommendations mentioned above, principles of thermal comfort, indoor air quality, and moisture management are inherent in the Passive House standard. Due to the airtightness of the building, it is even more important that the selection of construction materials, finishes and furnishings have low chemicals, zero volatile organic compounds (VOC) and are non-toxic. A certified Passive House is not only more efficient, it is characteristically sustainable Editor s note: More information about the Passive House standard can be found at the Passive House Institute US online at Annual Summer Picnic at Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park. See you next summer!

10 Page 10 Green Goodies From Pattycake Bakery By Susan Belair Spelt Fudge Brownie... Cranberry Almond Cookie... Pistachio Rosewater Cake Would you believe you can have those treats and feel good about it too? Pattycake Bakery in Clintonville is vegan, locally owned, and committed to being ecologically and socially responsible. And not least of all, their wares just may be the best you've ever tasted. Disclaimer: we are regular customers at Pattycake. We love the dense, chewy Cooperative Cherry Chocolate Chip Bars and moist, delicious cakes--like Coconut Cloud and Strawberry Mousse. My kids will beg, whine, or even do extra chores to get the seasonal decorated cut-out sugar cookies. The Valentine's hearts with messages are especially entertaining. Currently, they are offering a bunny with a fluffy tail, and my kids carefully select the color icing they want. I don't feel guilty feeding my kids Pattycake treats: they're almost good for you! Vegan food uses NO animal products, so there's no cholesterol. Pattycake also guarantees no trans fats and 60-95% organic ingredients. Their recipes use whole grain flours if the quality of the product won't suffer. Vegan recipes are often higher in protein than traditional recipes, and provide good fats and antioxidants, because they rely heavily on plant products such as soy, seeds, and nuts. Protein lowers the glycemic index of the treats (less likely to give a blood sugar spike). Pattycake also offers some soy-free, wheatfree, and gluten-free items. As if you need more of an excuse to have a Hemp Flax Granola Cookie, Jennie Scheinbach, the founder and owner of Pattycake, is an exemplary green business owner. Scheinbach had sustainability and ethics in mind when she founded the bakery. A plant-based diet is more sustainable to begin with, but Pattycake also composts their food waste, reuses cardboard boxes, recycles, and cleans with 100% biodegradeable, all-natural products. Scheinbach's policy is to buy sustainably farmed, fairtrade ingredients, and to buy locally, whenever possible. The 100% biodegradable cellophane and labels they use to wrap cookies and whoopie pies are produced in Columbus. The labels are even printed using low-voc soy-based ink. Of course, Pattycake's paper bags and labels are made from recycled paper. In fact, her use of green packaging earned Scheinbach an Innovation Award from Baking Management magazine in Finally, consider the side-effect of two years of Lovely Lemon Cupcakes and Double-Chocolate Whoopie Pies on the taste buds: when my four year old talked me into highly processed, sugar-laden green cupcakes from the supermarket for St. Patrick's Day, she ate half of one, then gave it back to me. My eleven year old took one bite and said it was disgusting. Pattycake, located at 3009 N. High Street in Columbus, is a carry-out bakery, with very limited seating for onsite indulgence. They do accept special orders, including beautiful wedding or birthday cakes. You can order by calling or online at where you can also find ingredient lists! Pattycake is open Monday-Friday 8-7pm, Saturday 9-5pm, Sunday 11-4pm. Look for Pattycake goods at the following businesses : Clintonville Community Market All Cup O Joe/MoJoe Lounge/Stauf's locations Raisin Rack Weiland's Bexley Natural Market, Bexley Coffee Shop Cafe Apropos Crimson Cup Coffeehouse Kafe Kerouac Yeah, Me Too! Rad Dog! The Hills Market Impero Coffee House Firefly Play Café Urban Coffee

11 Non-Sierra Club Community Events The following activities are not sponsored nor administered by the Sierra Club. The Sierra Club has no information about the planning of these activities and makes no representations or warranties about the quality, safety, supervision or management of such activities. They are published because they may be of interest to our readers. These events are all open to the public. They are free unless otherwise noted. Fri-Sun., July 8-10 Midwest Native Pant Conference, Connecting People with Nature, Bergamo Center, Dayton A variety of recognized experts will present informational sessions and field trips to explore native landscaping, forests, wetlands, and prairies together with the diverse wildlife that depends on these native habitats. Vendors will offer native plants, books, artwork and other items. Conference Registration Fee $150 (Saturday only $90). For more information, go to Fri.-Sun., July BikeColumbus Festival -- The 4th annual BikeColumbus Festival is a fun-filled, multiday happening that celebrates the many ways bikes improve, move, and excite people's lives. Registration/fees required for Mayor s Twilight Ride Fri. and Steve Barbour Memorial Tour Sat. For information/ registration, visit Sat., July 16 Wild Ones Tour of Green Lawn Cemetery and Prairie, 10 AM. Jim McCormac will lead a tour of the prairie as well as other points of interest at this legendary birding locale, COG Newsletter Delivery Help Needed Have you wondered how all our Central Ohio Group newsletters get circulated around town for the general public to see? It s all due to the generous efforts of Ken Johnsen, one of the club s longest-serving volunteers. Ken is stepping down from this responsibility after this edition of the newsletter. If you are interested in donating a little of bit of time once every two months to put our newsletters in places like public libraries and Metro Park nature centers, please contact David Donofrio at , daviddonofrio1(at)gmail.com. The Central Ohio Group covers a lot of territory and we could use more than one person to help out. It s a great public service. Thanks and thank you, Ken, for all you have done for the Sierra Club. Page 11 also home of some of the state s oldest trees and burial site of Columbus and Ohio luminaries. Meet at the administration building on the right shortly after entering Green Lawn Cemetery, 1000 Green Lawn Ave., Columbus, OH For more information, visit Sat., Aug. 13 Wild Ones Yard Tour, 10 AM. Meet at 130 Longfellow Avenue, Worthington Members and non-members alike are invited for refreshments and a tour of Sue Nelson s native plant gardens, including white-flowered gentiana alba, American bittersweet and trilliums; American hazelnut and elderberry shrubs, a persimmon tree bought as a sapling from the Franklin Soil and Water Conservation District s annual spring sale six years ago and Pawpaw trees. For more information, please call Barbara Altenburg at or visit chapters/columbus/. July Featured Event Riverfest! Spend July catching up on time outdoors, boating, fishing & more. Riverfest is a month-long celebration of water, Ohio's greatest resource. Organized by MORPC (Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission), Riverfest includes activities at various Columbus Metro Parks locations throughout the month and culminates in the Grand Finale July 29, 2011 from 5 pm-10 pm at Genoa Park in Downtown Columbus in partnership with COSI and WaterFire. The event will consist of hands-on activities, food, and musical entertainment and will conclude by watching fire dance on the Scioto River as Dwight Lenox & the Lenox Avenue Express performs. For information, visit

12 Sierra Club Central Ohio Group 131 North High Street, Suite 605 Columbus, OH NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT # 787 COLUMBUS, OHIO Printed on 100% recycled paper. Chair David Donofrio* Vice-Chair and Treasurer Kathy O'Keeffe* Secretary Thomas Lee* Political Committee Chair (Interim) Thomas Lee* Conservation Committee Chair Alicia Wooten-Cherry* Membership Chair Dave Roseman* Outings Chair Jose Cabral Programs Coordinator David Ditmars* Publicity Chair Yang Xing* Representative to the Ohio Chapter Mark Converse* Alternate Rep. to Ohio Chapter Dave Roseman* Rep. to Chapter Forest Committee Bob Kyle At-Large ExCom Members Bob Braithwaite* Page 12 Sierra Club Central Ohio Group Directory For addresses, see the Directory on the Central Ohio Group website at Melanie Braithwaite* Yang Ying* Newsletter Layout Editor Madeline Shaw Webmasters Bob Snider Matthew Baker *Denotes member of the Executive Committee for Sierra Club Columbus Office Main Number Teresa McHugh National Field Staff... Ext. 302 MacKenzie Bailey National Field Staff... Ext. 305 Natalie Fox (Energy) Ohio Chapter Staff... Ext. 301 Nachy Kanfer National Coal Campaign... Ext. 308 Rashay Layman National Field Staff... Ext. 307 Jen Miller (Energy & Transportation) Ohio Chapter Staff... Ext. 304 Matt Trokan (Clean Water, Nat. Res.) Ohio Chapter Staff... Ext. 311 Ben Wickizer (Alt. Trans., Clean Water) The Central Ohio Sierran...is published once every two months by the Central Ohio Group of the Sierra Club. Printing: approximately 4,200. To submit articles, please contact the newsletter copy editors. Newsletter Copy Editors Susan Belair, belairjm(at)columbus.rr.com Maryann Kafer, marishka98(at)aol.com All contributions to the newsletter will be considered, especially those of interest to central Ohio residents. Articles published in the newsletter also appear on the Central Ohio Group website. Visit our website at Send address changes to: Sierra Club Member Services P.O. Box Palm Coast, FL or address.changes(at)sierraclub.org